Long Island City park gets record gift

Donald and Shelley Rubin continued their generous support of arts organizations in the outer boroughs by pledging to donate $300,000 to Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, Queens. It is the largest gift the nonprofit has ever received for programming and the second largest in its 27-year history. The announcement was made at the park's gala on Thursday night.

"This gift is going help get us to the next level," said John Hatfield, executive director of the 4.7-acre waterfront park.

The money, which will be distributed over three years, comes several months after the couple donated $500,000 to The Queens Museum and $500,000 to the Bronx Museum of the Arts. Their support of the arts isn't limited to the outer boroughs, however. The couple founded the Rubin Museum of Art in Manhattan, which opened in 2004 and specializes in art from the Himalayas.

Ms. Rubin said the park fits into the mission she and her husband share of making it easier for a greater number of people to enjoy art. The park is always open, always free and runs numerous free community programs. The couple's gift to the Bronx Museum of the Arts ensures that it will be free for the next few years.

"Socrates is an expansion of the community," said Ms. Rubin. "It brings art to people and people to art."

Mr. Rubin amassed his fortune through MultiPlan Inc., a preferred provider organization he founded that evolved into the largest, independent firm of its kind by the time it was sold to NGN Capital and The Carlyle Group in 2006.

Mr. Hatfield said that part of the gift would be used to make the park, which is about a mile from the nearest subway stop, more accessible. He said it would start a shuttle bus service from the Queensboro Plaza subway stop during the warm months to make it easier for people to reach the park and other arts organizations in Queens.

Another portion of the gift will be used to build an enclosed structure in the park so it can expand its educational programs beyond the warm months. The park currently provides arts programming for about 8,000 children, but that will expand to 12,000 when the structure is built. Mr. Hatfield plans to speak to administrators at a nearby high school about providing programs for its students.

The money will also be used to upgrade the toilet facilities at the park. Currently, there are two port-a potties at the park, but Mr. Hatfield said the money will be used to get a trailer that has lights and running water as well as toilets.

"I know it doesn't sound sexy, but it is necessary," Mr. Hatfield said. He added that during the summer, foreign movies are shown at the park, often drawing crowds of 2,000 people. "We want our guests to be comfortable."

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